Creating a Participatory Environment: Experiences That Foster Educator Choice and Voice

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Division K Section 8 Poster Session 1

Abstract

This paper examines an online space for educators to understand the types of experiences that educators voluntarily choose to engage in and the benefits of such interactions. I explored a space designed by educators for educators as a way to consider how to construct more formal professional learning experiences. I identify three findings: 1) engaging with educators from different educational settings with diverse experiences are valuable because they bring in new ideas, promote experimentation, and encourage innovative thinking; 2) the combination of social media tools, practitioners’ know-how, and practices foster a participatory environment; 3) educators want to engage collaboratively with others who share similar interests about professional practice. Implications regarding the democratic practices found in this online space are discussed.

Author

• Beverly R. Plein, Montclair State University